Twelve years. That represents the last time Torino scored against city rivals Juventus in the Derby della Mole. On Sunday, Bruno Peres did what a whole slew of stars before him were not able to do and brought his side level after Arturo Vidal’s penalty.
For the remaining 70 or so minutes, Granata fans were on the edge of their seats. With a draw in hand, some certainly even thinking what seemed nearly impossible — to become the first side to win at the Juventus Stadium this season.
As the match progressed, it indeed seemed likely to end in a stalemate until Andrea Pirlo stepped up and with literally the last kick of the game, fired home one of his trademark long-range shots to snatch the win and help them stay top of the table. But more important, it meant that yet another team will have to try their luck to breach the seemingly inaccessible fortress known as Juventus Stadium.
It has become more than just an arena to play in — it has become a hallowed sanctuary, blessing the Bianconeri of a sort of divine luck. Time and time again, away fans alike have seen a potential draw turned into a loss, or a win turned into a draw. Like the club’s stalwarts, or better yet their 12th man on the pitch, the Juventus Stadium has always delivered, regardless of who it hosted.
The last side to escape Turin with a win in Europe was none other than Bayern Munich in April 2013, as die Roten went on to eventually lift their fifth Champions League trophy. Not even the likes of 2012 winners Chelsea or last season’s champions Real Madrid were able to earn all three points in Turin, with the Blues and Los Blancos having to settle for a loss and a stalemate respectively. And in the league, one will have to go even further back to Sampdoria’s 2–1 win in January 2013.
In 2011 the brand new stadium opened with a friendly, inaugural clash against Notts County that ended in a draw. In their debut season at their new home, Juventus not only won their first of what would be three straight titles thus far, but also became the first Italian side to do so undefeated since switching to the 38-game format.
While their second term in 2012 would have its hiccups, as Inter successfully broke their 49-match unbeaten streak, only two out of their five losses occurred in Turin as they successfully defended their league crown. In the Coppa Italia against AC Milan, it looked like it could head to penalty kicks until then-striker Mirko Vucinic popped up with the game winner in extra time.
If that was impressive, last season’s campaign saw the Juventus win each and every one of their 19 home league matches, scoring 47 and conceding just nine. By contrast, while their away record was pretty solid, they set a record of 14 wins, three draws, and two losses, netting 33 goals while conceding 14. And they have continued in the same vein of form this year, boasting six wins out of six at home and conceding just three goals, with Roma being the only side to net more than one goal at the Juventus Stadium in their early season clash.
However, looming on the horizon is their upcoming meeting with last season’s La Liga winners Atletico Madrid. Diego Simeone’s men, since losing to Olympiacos on their first day have been simply unstoppable, scoring 12 goals without reply, including four in a rout of the Greek outfit.
As such, Atletico Madrid will represent their toughest test thus this season; but so far, the Juventus Stadium has successfully thwarted some of the biggest teams on the continent since its beginnings three years ago.
There is the common saying that would speak well to how Juventus players and former Bianconeri coach have made Turin in such an impregnable fortress: “Home is where the heart is.”
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we lost to sampdoria at our stadium in january 2013
It clearly states that Sampdoria beat Juventus in Turin In Jan 2013 in her article. Maybe you ought to read it again.